Meta EHS Lead Promotes Proposed Data Center in Piqua, Ohio
Christopher Hibbert, Meta's environmental health and safety lead, argues in a letter that the company's proposed data center in Piqua would bring tax revenue, jobs and public-safety funding. He says Meta has pledged $8 million for emergency equipment and personnel and plans to use a closed-loop cooling system requiring no operational cooling water.
Christopher Hibbert, an environmental health and safety lead for Meta who grew up in Springfield, wrote that the company's proposed Piqua data center could provide substantial economic benefits. He cited Meta's pledge of $8 million for emergency equipment and additional police, fire and EMS personnel, along with new tax revenue for schools and community services. Hibbert also said the project could support more than 1,000 construction jobs and at least 100 permanent positions once operational.
The letter addresses concerns about energy, water, land use and environmental impacts. Hibbert said Meta matches its electricity consumption with renewable energy, pays for contracted power under Ohio's tariff structure and would use closed-loop cooling with dry coolers at the proposed Piqua facility, eliminating operational cooling-water needs. The letter presents Meta's perspective in favor of the project and acknowledges that Piqua is still weighing whether to proceed.